Showing posts with label memoirs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label memoirs. Show all posts

Book Review: "A Grief Observed" by C.S. Lewis

By    March 01, 2020 // No comments



"Did you ever know, dear, how much you took away with you when you left? You have stripped me even of my past, even of the things we never shared."
This is the first time I read a C.S. Lewis book other than "The Chronicles of Narnia." I thought I'd read some of his science fiction material first but, as I read somewhere online, you don't look for this book, this book FINDS YOU.

Reading an author's own words in a book that wasn't intended for publication feels like an invasion of privacy at first, but while you keep reading, you discover a huge amount of similarities between you and other people, and this is an incredible reminder that we aren't different when it comes to love or pain, no matter the nationality, no matter the distance, no matter the time.

This book helps you grief because you find sentences you need from someone who really understands, from someone that wrote those words in THAT moment of despair. Lewis was able to put all the questions that come through our heads when we lose someone -although this book was written from the death-grief perspective, this is also relevant for a separation of a loved one, which was my case.

I am not a religious person, I tried to but failed years ago; I've always disliked when people approach me and try to make me feel better by saying that God works in mysterious ways and stuff like that. Lewis's words felt different. In his despair, he questions God's intentions, but in the end, you can see evolution and acceptance, because no matter how much you blame a deity or try to find your questions answered, this deity can't bring you that person back, so if your relationship was a pure one, you can always go back to those beautiful memories.

"I know that the thing I want is exactly the thing I can never get. The old life, the jokes, the drinks, the arguments, the lovemaking, the tiny, heartbreaking commonplace."

And yes, it hurts like hell but is what we have and is what we can work with. Lewis found his reconciliation with God while looking back at his memories and seeing them as perfection. 

A Grief Observed was my tiny reminder that I need to find reconciliation, not with a God/Goddess, but with myself.


C.S. LEWIS was an author, essayist and Christian apologist. He is best known for his children's classic series – The Chronicles of Narnia. Clive Staples Lewis was born on 29 November 1898 and lived until 22 November 1963. He was born in Belfast, North Ireland into a Protestant Ulster family.

Book Review: "The Princess Diarist" by Carrie Fisher

By    April 13, 2018 // No comments




"I wish I could go away somewhere, but the only problem with that is that I'd have to go too."

How difficult can it be to portray a character, not only for one movie but five, and impact not only one generation but several? Carrie Fisher is very clear about this in The Princess Diarist. And if I think about it, I think she could be showing her middle finger right at me for attempting to write this weak review, I mean, the whole question sounds like a euphemism. Should I rephrase? How fucking difficult can it be to portray a fictional character in one of the most important sagas of all time while inspiring all generations while losing control of life, privacy, and sanity?

Movie stars sell their body and souls to media the moment they sign their first contract. Lap dancing. The thing with Carrie Fisher's life was that hers was already sold since she first came into the world. Being the daughter of Debbie Reynolds wasn't something small. What could she do? Go with the flow. What she didn't know was that such flow was actually a hyperspace  jump!

In this book, Carrie shared some of her memories while filming the first Star Wars movie, but she did it with dialogues integrated, which seemed a little weird because no people can remember that much... well, there are some, but this wasn't the case.

She remembered the moment when she made her audition for Leia's role, when she was picked for it, how uncomfortable she felt with hair and costumes, but mostly, she talked about her forbidden and sad romance with Harrison Ford... a part that she advised to skip. I'd recommend that too, but that particular part was necessary to understand the following two chapters.

Now, the writing part. Hers didn't grab my attention at first, but after that Carrison chapter, I felt she started to show her true colors. Some of her poems were raw, incredibly intense for a young woman, but still understandable because of her lifestyle and with the things she previously lived with Ford. In this part, another Carrie Fisher is talking. The text feels more free and sincere. She expressed what she felt at fan conventions, at seeing her old photographs, and how this whole experience made her feel she lived as two persons in some moments of her life, because of fans, because of herself.

In simple words, I see this book as her way to say "I'm Carrie, not Leia. Please look at me as Carrie."
CARRIE FISHER was an American actress, screenwriter, and author, most famous for her portrayal of Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy. Fisher was the daughter of singer Eddie Fisher and actress Debbie Reynolds. She had one daughter, Billie Lourd. Her final film, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, was released on December 15, 2017 and is dedicated to her.

Book Review: "Orange Is the New Black" by Piper Kerman

By    April 05, 2018 // No comments


Previously posted on Goodreads!¹
After thinking about it a lot, I decided to change the rating of this book from 3 to 2 stars. This story could've been written in such a marvelous way and it wasn't. I understand that Piper Kerman is not a professional writer, but that's why editors exist, I suppose.

I felt a lack of depth in many situations, like Kerman's development as a character and with the inmates for example. You forget who they're because there are a lot of names and no story about them.

There were some things that freaked me out. For example, I didn't believe in what was Kerman saying in almost every situation, and in a book, the most important thing is that your reader believes in what you're saying, even if it is in a fantasy book. The point here is that, even if she's saying the truth, I don't buy it.

But the thing that won the second star in this book is that I could actually see how the system works if you have a white woman as an inmate. No one can deny privileges, we see that every day.

 Well, for me, this book was a disappointment and to have watched the series before isn't even a factor, they're totally different. The series is believable.


 PIPER KERMAN is a graduate of Smith College. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian, Cosmopolitan and other publications. She serves on the board of directors of the Women's Prison Association and the advisory boards of the PEN America Writing For Justice Fellowship, JustLeadershipUSA, Healing Broken Circles, and InsideOUT Writers. She teaches creative nonfiction writing to incarcerated men and women. Piper speaks frequently around the country about justice reform. 

¹This review was written and originally posted on my Goodreads profile in 2014. It might now present minor changes in structure or corrections but has not changed its intention.

Alexandra, The Dorky Writer - Chapter 3

By    March 01, 2018 // No comments

I've discovered a very funny thing: writing inspiration strikes when I need to do homework. And, if I really think about it, I used to do that at the University... I could be doing a translation exercise and BOOM! Ale had to write. And she did! Mostly in the last pages of her notebook, and rarely on a second Word document.

So, in what am I thinking about now?

The Dorky Writer had a job: she was also a Jedi Master [insert disc scratch]. OK, OK, not a Jedi Master, but still a teacher. An English teacher, if I want to be more specific. A pretty average one. Nothing special. Anyway... After months, and months, and months of wanting to go to a dragon's hoard, maybe not to steal some money but to politely ask for a loan, the Dorky Writer could finally get paid and feel some silver coins in her pocket. Her first stop? THE BOOK SHOP [insert another annoying disc scratch]. OK, I didn't go there, I had to pay school, and gas, BUT the idea of going is still there. 

Some months ago, I made a TBR list featuring female writers. But I can't lie: I know I still need to narrow my idea for The Mighty Thesis. Should I compare them according to their age? Should I go through a political path? An educational one? What about feminism? Or cultural differences? THE HELL I KNOW! But I think I've selected a good bunch for either case:
With the exception of Beard's book, all of these are memoirs (the ones in bold are the only ones I've read, but definitely need to visit again). IMPORTANT NOTE:

I have the idea that when I finish with another two books, I'll get closer to what I want. And I know it seems I hadn't started at all, but I realized something: I started to read Amy Poehler's Yes, Please, and even though her story is interesting and funny (I mean, have you ever seen Parks and Recreation? That woman is fun indeed!), getting to know how an artist of any category became a celebrity isn't what I want to write about.

POINT FOR THE DORKY WRITER! 

It will depend of its availability, but I feel I need to read Women & Power first. It's the only one that has historical references and it might even mention some other women's stories that can help. 

End of Chapter 3.

Book Review: "Scrappy Little Nobody" by Anna Kendrick

By    February 05, 2018 // No comments



Previously posted on Goodreads!¹


 This is the first time I read and listened to an audiobook. I wanted to take advantage of those 3 credits you get in Audible and because this book was new I decided to get it. And it was a great idea! Fortunately, Anna read her own book, she was a pleasure to listen and read. Her tone is unique and sincere and makes you have a good time.


Anna may not agree, but I believe she is a very good writer. She could transport me to those events in her life without a joint (I don't do drugs but you get the idea)! I don't follow her movies, I've seen them but not with the idea that she's in them, so I didn't know what kind of artist is she in the terrible Hollywood. She describes herself in some points as childish but that's not what I mean. I found that she's a very down to earth and talented woman that really knows what she wants and who she is, a VERY difficult process in life, by the way. How many of us, in our middle twenties, really know what we want in life? How many of us are still hiding under our sheets and never face any existential crisis? She has faced and accepted things and that's a very good example for teenagers and new adults like me.


Yup, this book was a trip. In an aspect she made me see that even small details of your life can be great if you know how to take advantage or deal with them.


You better hurry up and become 70, Anna! I can't wait to read the next one!
ANNA KENDRICK is an American actress and singer, born and raised in Portland, Maine. She is widely known for her roles in The Twilight Saga, Up in the Air, and Pitch Perfect. Throughout her acting career, Kendrick has received various awards and nominations.


¹This review was written and originally posted on my Goodreads profile in 2016. It might now present minor changes in structure or corrections but has not changed its intention.

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